Supper's Ready

Album: Foxtrot (1972)
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  • Walking across the sitting-room, I turn the television off
    Sitting beside you, I look into your eyes
    As the sound of motorcars fades in the night time
    I swear I saw your face change, it didn't seem quite right
    And it's hello babe, with your guardian eyes so blue
    Hey my baby, don't you know our love is true

    Coming closer with our eyes, a distance falls around our bodies
    Out in the garden, the moon seems very bright
    Six saintly shrouded men move across the lawn slowly
    The seventh walks in front with a cross held high in hand
    And it's hey babe your supper's waiting for you
    Hey my baby, don't you know our love is true?

    I've been so far from here
    Far from your warm arms
    It's good to feel you again
    It's been a long long time
    Hasn't it?

    I know a farmer who looks after the farm
    With water clear, he cares for all his harvest
    I know a fireman who looks after the fire

    You, can't you see he's fooled you all
    Yes, he's here again
    Can't you see he's fooled you all?
    Share his peace, sign the lease
    He's a supersonic scientist
    He's the guaranteed eternal sanctuary man
    Look, look into my mouth he cries
    And all the children lost down many paths
    I bet my life you'll walk inside
    Hand in hand
    Gland in gland
    With a spoonful of miracle
    He's the guaranteed eternal sanctuary
    We will rock you, rock you little snake
    We will keep you snug and warm

    Wearing feelings on our faces while our faces took a rest
    We walked across the fields to see the children of the West
    But we saw a host of dark skinned warriors standing still below the ground

    Waiting for battle

    The fight's begun, they've been released
    Killing foe for peace, bang, bang, bang
    Bang, bang, bang
    And they've given me a wonderful potion
    'Cause I cannot contain my emotion
    And even though I'm feeling good
    Something tells me I'd better activate my prayer capsule

    Today's a day to celebrate, the foe have met their fate
    The order for rejoicing and dancing has come from our warlord

    Wandering in the chaos the battle has left
    We climb up the mountain of human flesh
    To a plateau of green grass, and green trees full of life
    A young figure sits still by a pool
    He's been stamped "Human Bacon" by some butchery tool
    He is you

    Social Security took care of this lad
    We watch in reverence, as Narcissus is turned to a flower
    A flower?

    If you go down to Willow Farm
    To look for butterflies, flutterbyes, gutterflies
    Open your eyes, it's full of surprise
    Everyone lies like the fox on the rocks
    And the musical box
    Oh, there's Mum and Dad, and good and bad
    And everyone's happy to be here

    There's Winston Churchill dressed in drag
    He used to be a British flag, plastic bag, what a drag
    The frog was a prince
    The prince was a brick, the brick was an egg, the egg was a bird
    (Fly away you sweet little thing, they're hard on your tail)
    Hadn't you heard? (they're going to change you into a human being!)
    Yes, we're happy as fish and gorgeous as geese
    And wonderfully clean in the morning

    We've got everything, we're growing everything
    We've got some in, we've got some out
    We've got some wild things floating about
    Everyone, we're changing everyone
    You name them all, we've had them here
    And the real stars are still to appear
    (All change!)

    Feel your body melt
    Mum to mud to mad to dad
    Dad diddley office, Dad diddley office
    You're all full of ball
    Dad to dam to dumb to mum
    Mum diddley washing, Mum diddley washing
    You're all full of ball

    Let me hear your lies, we're living this up to the eyes
    Ooh, aah, na-na-na
    Momma I want you now

    And as you listen to my voice
    To look for hidden doors, tidy floors, more applause
    You've been here all the time
    Like it or not, like what you got
    You're under the soil (the soil, the soil)
    Yes, deep in the soil (the soil, the soil, the soil!)
    So we'll end with a whistle and end with a bang
    And all of us fit in our places

    With the guards of Magog, swarming around
    The Pied Piper takes his children underground
    Dragons coming out of the sea
    Shimmering silver head of wisdom looking at me
    He brings down the fire from the skies
    You can tell he's doing well by the look in human eyes
    Better not compromise, it won't be easy

    666 is no longer alone
    He's getting out the marrow in your backbone
    And the seven trumpets blowing sweet rock and roll
    Gonna blow right down inside your soul
    Pythagoras with the looking glass reflects the full moon
    In blood, he's writing the lyrics of a brand-new tune

    And it's hey babe, with your guardian eyes so blue
    Hey my baby, don't you know our love is true?
    I've been so far from here, far from your loving arms
    Now I'm back again
    And babe, it's gonna work out fine

    Can't you feel our souls ignite?
    Shedding ever-changing colours
    In the darkness of the fading night
    Like the river joins the ocean
    As the germ in a seed grows
    We have finally been freed to get back home

    There's an angel standing in the sun
    And he's crying with a loud voice
    "This is the supper of the mighty one"
    Lord of Lords, King of Kings
    Has returned to lead his children home
    To take them to the new Jerusalem Writer/s: MIKE RUTHERFORD, PETER GABRIEL, PHIL COLLINS, STEVE HACKETT, TONY BANKS
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 36

  • Kayla from TexasYomuin from Netherlands.... that's a quote from Tony Banks
  • Yomuin from NetherlandsI think the "song fact" about "needing patience for a 25 minute song" is just so unnecessary. Like what has your attitude towards this time/younger generations got anything to do with the song. Besides. I am young, and I think this song is captivating enough start to finish to keep people engaged. So, stop hating. This song is great and not all of us are Tik-Tok addicted zombies. Plus, being concise isn't always bad either.
  • Michael from New YorkGenesis performed live at Forest Hills tennis stadium in NY in the early 80’s. Went from being a fan to a fanatic.
  • Diego from ArgentinaA masterpiece. Unfortunately they turned into pop in the 80s
  • Matthew from Milford DePhil Collins & Sonic Youth go together like garlic salt & cinnamon, it was Flaming Youth, Brand X was a band that Collins weaved in & out of from 76/79 but always put Genesis first, then of course his solo career in later years. Collins was/is probably one of the busiest musicians that ever lived. Suppers Ready needs no explanation of "What it's about" listen to it & what you get from it, well, that's what it's about. MY OPINION : it's a love song, a biblical battle, with Gabriel's English absurd humor to top it off "As sure as eggs is eggs"
  • Peter from Plymouth, United KingdomI saw Genesis perform this Magical masterpiece back in 1973 in Plymouth Devon, I will never forget that amazing night!!
  • Karl from Toronto , Onsuppers ready is a song about the book of revelation in the bible . peter interpreted it in this song and its very visual and actually to the writings . hes added hes own modern day thoughts as at the time and although not a hit by any means was held to great respect by many fans and musicians ................. there will never be another like this !
  • Guillermo from Mendoza, Argentinait left me wordless
  • Tom from Edmonton, AbA few years ago, when asked his favourite songs, Peter Gabriel replied "Supper's Ready" and "Here Comes The Flood" from his first solo album. When questioned what "Supper's Ready" was about, he simply stated that it was a song about "good vs. evil."

    Tom, Edmonton, Canada.
  • Bob from Montreal, QcPhil collins palyed in a band called sonic youth before joining Genesis.

    WRONG.

    Phil was in FLAMING YOUTH and they recorded an lp, Ark 2
  • Mac from Toronto, OnPhil collins palyed in a band called sonic youth before joining Genesis.
    He played in Brand X while still with Genesis.
    PFM was an Italian band, same era, same genre. Peter Sinfield wrote the lyrics for PFM's "photos of ghosts" album.
    He also wrote the lyrics for King Crimsons first two albums and the co-wrote the lyics on several ELP albums
  • Andy from Lake City, FlI love the music and vocal so much that the lyrics don't matter. But for the record I think Peter was full of s--t. He is desperately trying to one-up Robert Plant in a very vain cold way. The "spiritual" stuff here just doesn't wash. It's like "battle of epping forest" lyrics without the sense of humor or fun. Gabriel is now deep down a jealous egotistical man and this song begins to reveal it. "The lamb" is also superb but any honest fan will admit some of the lyrics are dog s--t. Sorry, just my opinion.
  • Joseph from Montreal, QcQ-Does anybody know the name of the group that Phil Collins played with before Genesis?

    A-Brand X

    ------------------
    "I dont suppose anyone here has heard of an Italian band called Premiata Forneria Marconi? ...They are really good band, probably better than KC and Genesis."

    -PFM was good but nothing compared to Genesis.

    -Nice to see that some people love this song as much as I do!
  • Mike from Buffalo Ny, Nythere is another Genesis cover band that uses the costumes and does the older genesis, they are out of Canada, they are called "over the garden wall".I have seen them and they are spectacular!
  • Mike from Buffalo Ny, NyThe musical concept is way ahead of its time. The timing changes and the various types of sounds is absolutely incredible!
  • Mike from Buffalo Ny, NyDoes anybody know the name of the group that Phil Collins played with before Genesis?
  • James from Buenos Aires, ArgentinaPeter Gabriel, the Mighty One, the King of Kings, has clearly proved to be one of history's best musical composers...While trying to talk to people about this masterpiece, I've realized its vibe can't possibly be traduced to words.
  • Wyatt from Anywhere, United StatesPeter told the story about this Song got started in an interview, He recounted a tale where he and Jill , his wife where sitting in the living room when they noticed a procesion of seven ghosts, monks, with the one in front bearing a large cross walking across the lawn. He was very adamant that he wans't taking drugs at the time and insisted they really saw this thing.
  • Jim from Chicago, IlFor anybody who would like to see the classic "Genesis" featuring Peter Gabriel in concert, there is a cover band from, I believe, Milwaukee WI, called the "Musical Box" that does album shows, i.e. Foxtrox, Nursery Crymes, etc. The lead singer wears the actual Peter Gabriel headgear. Excellent Show! I heard they're taking a break while the real band is on tour, but I'm sure they'll be back.
  • Chris from Perth, AustraliaSupper's Ready = Bohemian Rhapsody times four. Four times as long, but not really any better. I love both of them.
  • Reg from Kemptville, OnRe Premiata Forneria Marconi:
    Alex of Fort Mill, I have heard of PFM and listend to thier album "PFM Cook". But that was back in the 70s. From what I remember and the little I've heard since they were/are AT LEAST in the same league as Genesis
  • Joshua from Twin Cities, MnThe Genesis Archive Volume 1: 1967-75 boxed set includes another live recording of this, from the early '70s when Gabriel was still their frontman.
  • Alex from Fort Mill, ScI dont suppose anyone here has heard of an Italian band called Premiata Forneria Marconi? They have alot of early Genesis/King Crimson influences to them , yet sound nothing like them. They are really good band, probably better than KC and Genesis.
  • Gerard from Zeist, NetherlandsSupper's Ready will be my favorite song for ever.
    -Gerard Zeist, The Netherlands.
  • Zach from Buffalo, Ny"Why don't you touch me, touch me, touch me, now now now now now" is from the closing section of The Musical Box, from Nursery Cryme (1971), not from Supper's Ready.
  • Pete from Leeds, EnglandDespite being redundant as anyone who reads this will already know it, this song is quite probably the finest piece of art in the history of mankind. If you haven't heard it. Hear it. Now.
  • Thierry from Ã?rhus, DenmarkWhy don't U touch me touch me touch me
    now now now
  • Thierry from Ã?rhus, DenmarkConsidering what can be heard on the radio these days,
    it must be a miracle that such a group ever existed (and this goes for Yes, Gong, Caravan, KC, White Noise, Van der Graaf & many more then...)
    I know they've hardly ever been on the radio then, but what are we left with ?
    Who wants a drummer/multi instumentist/singer with this in mind ?


  • Thierry from Ã?rhus, DenmarkUnique and magnifiscent !!!!
    Comments about this master piece run the high risk of being either redundand or futile
  • Thierry from Ã?rhus, DenmarkMagnificent
  • Urshurak from Leeuwarden, NetherlandsA song with exceptional structure and of biblical proportions. In short: A Masterpiece! I envy people who ever watched this live, they were very lucky!
  • Marlon from Nyc, NyWhat an amazing piece of music. My favorite movement is Apocolypse.
  • Sean from Newmarket, Canadai also think they did one of the best instrumentals with horizons. beautiful. up there with black mountain side - led zeppelin and mudmen - pink floyd
  • Emilio from Seattle, WaSupper's Ready is the best piece of music ever composed by a human being.
  • Rob from Chicago, IlThis song is excellent, especially the humorful Willow Farm. This song and Watcher Of The Skies are my favorites.
  • Juan from Vancouver, CanadaBy far, Supper's ready is the maximum expression of the musical arts through mankind history.
see more comments

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